[Slick_Footwork]

Good post Slick. It's interesting how we all see players differently; even last year I was completely uninspired by Sawyers, even when he wins the 'highest passing %' and or 'most touches' - to me they are virtually always the safe, sideways /backwards pass, hardly ever incisive or inventive.
I may well be wrong here, but he also (to me) always seems like he thinks he's got all the time in the world - when he hasn't! Far too casual in my mind.
This isn't a witch hunt - I really want him to succeed - I'm just frustrated by him because I think he HAS got talent!

I can see why you think that way about him, especially as he has a languid style that makes him look disinterested at times. I also agree with your point about him being too casual. His calmness would be admirable if it didn't carry so much risk as he's not the paciest when it comes to getting out of tight situations. I think he's just a natural footballer who is always looking to play and doesn't have it in his locker to just boot it, which can sometimes be to his detriment. This is why I don't think you can play him deep in midfield in the frantic pace of the Premier League. Lose the ball there and you're in the deep end.

The flip side of that is that I appreciate that he's always making passing lanes, always on, always wanting the ball. After 3 years of watching Tony Pulis football (followed by Shan's similar tactics), it was a breath of fresh air signing Sawyers and having a player who dictated the game. 'Quarterback' might've been a strong term, but he was the player who set the tempo of our play last season. When he played well, we did. I also think he's got a lot more vision than he's given credit for. His forward passes often go unnoticed as they are made from deep into areas where we can penetrate. Bilic opted for so many attacking midfielders last season that Sawyers rarely got into positions where he could provide the final assist, but he still made some mouth watering passes. Stoke away springs to mind.

It came as no surprise to me that our first loss at home last season (Boro) was when Bilic dropped Sawyers for some reason that only he will ever know...

All that said, this is now Premier League and there is no time for sentiment. So would I play him in a midfield 2? Absolutely not. I just don't think he has the pace / legs to cover the ground.

(I'd say he has a part to play as a squad player).

My worry is we don't have anyone at the club who can play in a midfield duo except for Livermore. Even if we sign Krov and Gallagher, they are both typically number 10s. We saw last year that Krov isn't the type of player to play in a midfield 2. We must be the only club in the Premier League who doesn't have a sitting midfielder on the books. Imagine if Livermore was injured and we have to start with Sawyers and Harper in there. Who is going to make a tackle when we're coming up against players like Grealish? We're absolutely desperate for a sitter in the middle of the park and I'm quite worried that our coach can't see it.